Machine and equipment operations account for thousands of serious injuries each year on construction sites. Minor injuries occur from a laundry list of other factors, as well. These injuries can be avoided, however, through careful planning, proper safety protocols and proper safety equipment. Many safety tips seem extremely simple and basic in principle, but adhering to them can help to avoid a number of bad situations.
- Equipment
The leading cause of injury on construction sites for equipment operators is, surprisingly, the seemingly simple act of getting onto or off of the machines they use. Most operators with years of experience have a story to share about their learning experience related to this. Minimizing work site injuries starts here. There are simple tips that improve safety here, but they are effective. For example, ensure gloves and boots are free of mud, rocks and other obstructions. Don’t try to climb while carrying anything. Use only secure foot and hand holds. Never jump from the equipment. Loading and unloading of equipment is another operation that can lead to injury. Primarily this is because machine roll-over is a risk even on level ground. A few basic tips include using a spotter, staying centered on ramps and use proper tie downs when loading.
- Swing radius
Accidents involving the swing radius of equipment are fairly common. Many times, they only involve part of the machine crashing into another object. These are very minor incidents. These become much more serious when people are involved, however. Because there are so many different things going on at the same time at a work site, it’s important to completely rope off, or otherwise secure, the area affected by the swing radius.
- Obstructions
Similarly, both overhead and buried obstructions result in collisions as well. For overhead lines and areas with low clearance, be sure personnel working in the area are made aware of the situation. For electrical, water, sewer gas and other buried lines, be sure to contact the proper agency before digging to ensure none of those lines are hit. Even when they’ve been clearly marked, take extra precaution and hand dig when working close to them. Errors can occur in marking utilities and equipment typically isn’t precise enough in close quarters. Also, take no chances in a potentially dangerous situation. Clearly mark an area with signs, tape or rope so that non-essential personnel are kept out and others are aware of the dangers.
Staying safe on a job site starts with preparedness, safety equipment and common sense. Being alert and professional eliminates many unsafe and dangerous situations.
At Maxwell Supply in Tulsa, we carry a wide variety of equipment and tools to make your next project safer. Browse through are available safety supplies online, including gas cans, slush boots, gloves, first aide kits and much more. Or, you can call or stop by for help finding exactly what you need.